BOULDER — The last time Longmont boys basketball won Colorado championships was generations ago. The Trojans won in 1937 and 1942.

So, yes, it has been a long time, and, yes, this year’s group wants to end the drought.

Behind junior Justinian Jessup’s heady play and another top defensive effort, the Trojans outlasted Sierra 43-36 on Friday at the University of Colorado’s Coors Events Center.

The top-seeded Trojans will take a 27-0 record into Saturday’s Class 4A finale against Colorado Springs’ Air Academy. Sierra ended 23-4 and had its 21-game winning streak snapped.

Longmont coach Jeff Kloster, never one for hyperbole, was blunt.

“J.J.’s the best two-way player I’ve ever had in my 24 years at Longmont,” Kloster said.

Not only did the 6-foot-4 Jessup lead all scorers with 19 points, but he was at the front of Longmont weathering the Stallions’ considerable speed and quickness, and he turned in a series of key plays in the final minutes.

“Yes,” he said, he made it a point to “get to the rim more” down the stretch as the Trojans were able to protect their lead.

In addition to David Speidel turning in two key baskets, Jessup contributed four free throws and came in from the left side for a layup.

Sierra made moves after halftime, but Longmont answered each time, with its defense having much to do with it. The Trojans have surrendered more than 50 points only three times all season.

“My kids love to compete, and down the stretch they showed their grit,” Kloster said.

Keandre Lewis led Sierra with 15 points as the team’s lone double-figure scorer.

Now, the Trojans are in their first final since 1997, when they lost to the superlative Nick Mohr and Columbine.

Neil Devlin, originally from the Philadelphia area, has covered high school sports in Colorado for more than 30 years, writing about the people, athletes and events of the Rocky Mountain prep sports world.

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